Why Freight Brokers Are Turning to Offshore Teams for Carrier Procurement

Carrier Procurement in a Challenging Freight Market

Carrier procurement is the lifeblood of any freight brokerage. The ability to source, vet, and secure reliable carriers quickly and cost-effectively determines whether a broker thrives—or struggles. But as the U.S. freight market faces driver shortages, increased demand, and operational cost hikes, many brokerages are finding it harder to scale procurement internally.

To stay competitive, freight brokers are increasingly turning to offshore teams—specifically through business process outsourcing (BPO) partnerships in countries like the Philippines—to streamline and strengthen their carrier procurement operations.

The Freight Brokerage Bottleneck: Why Traditional Procurement Isn’t Scalable

Today’s freight brokers face several growing challenges:

• • Driver shortages: The American Trucking Associations estimates a shortage of over 80,000 drivers—a number projected to grow.
  • Increased operating costs: Rising wages, insurance premiums, and compliance regulations squeeze margins.
  • High churn rates: Recruiting and retaining internal talent for repetitive tasks like carrier calling is costly.
  • Pressure to do more with less: Brokers are expected to cover more loads faster, without ballooning overhead.

Carrier procurement teams are often the first to feel this pressure—expected to cold-call carriers, negotiate rates, verify capacity, and ensure compliance, all under intense time constraints.

Why Offshore Teams Are the Strategic Solution

Outsourcing to an offshore carrier procurement team provides freight brokers with a cost-effective, scalable way to maintain competitive service levels.

Key Benefits Include:

1. Reduced Overhead Costs

Offshore teams, especially in the Philippines, allow brokers to save up to 60% on labor costs without compromising quality. This is especially beneficial for small to mid-sized brokerages managing tight margins.

2. Scalability During High-Volume Periods

Offshore BPO partners provide flexibility, enabling brokers to expand their team rapidly during peak seasons or customer onboarding.

3. 24/7 Carrier Engagement

Philippine-based teams support round-the-clock operations—ideal for brokers working across multiple U.S. time zones or handling urgent night/weekend shipments.

4. Skilled and English-Proficient Talent

The Philippines is globally recognized for its outsourcing capabilities. Carrier procurement specialists are trained in:

• • Load boards (DAT, Truckstop, etc.)
  • CRM and TMS platforms
  • Cold calling and follow-up etiquette
  • Freight terms and negotiation best practices

What Offshore Carrier Procurement Teams Actually Do

Offshore logistics support teams can handle all the tasks that typically burden your internal reps, including:

• • Calling and vetting carriers
  • Capacity sourcing and truck availability checks
  • Negotiating rates and confirming pricing
  • Dispatch assistance and scheduling
  • Managing load boards and tracking coverage KPIs
  • Gathering compliance documents and insurance verification

By offloading these tasks to trained BPO teams, your internal sales reps and account managers can focus on customer service and revenue growth.

Why Freight Brokers Choose the Philippines for Logistics Outsourcing

The Philippines remains a top BPO destination for U.S. logistics firms because of:

• • Cultural compatibility: Familiarity with American business standards and communication styles
  • Fluent English skills: Essential for phone-heavy roles like procurement and carrier negotiation
  • Strong work ethic: A service-oriented mindset and professionalism
  • Proven logistics talent: Thousands of trained logistics professionals, including in track & trace, dispatch, and carrier procurement

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